Vice President Al Gore has a 50 - 36 percent lead over Texas Gov. George W. Bush
among New Jersey likely voters, with 1 percent for Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan
and 6 percent for Green Party candidate Ralph Nader, according to a Quinnipiac University
Poll released today.

Among registered voters, Gore leads Bush 49 - 35 percent, with 1 percent for
Buchanan and 6 percent for Nader. An August 24 poll of New Jersey registered voters by
the independent Quinnipiac University showed Gore with a 49 - 37 percent lead.

From September 26 - October 1, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,045 New Jersey
registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percent. The sample includes 820 likely
voters, with a margin of error of 3.4 percent.

"Vice President Gore's campaign keeps chugging along since the convention and
the key is his support among men and independents. Bush still hasn't regained his early
big lead among men, and can't even make a dent in Gore's appeal with women," said
Quinnipiac University Political Science Professor Scott McLean.

Gore leads 44 - 35 percent among independents and 56 - 29 percent among women,
while 46 percent of men back Bush, with 43 percent for Gore, a statistical tie.

Gore's favorability among New Jersey likely voters is 49 - 31 percent, with 18
percent mixed and 1 percent saying they haven't heard enough to form an opinion.

Bush's favorability is 36 - 38 percent, with 25 percent mixed and 1 percent saying
they haven't heard enough to form an opinion.

By a 61 - 5 percent margin, New Jersey likely voters say they will watch the
presidential debate October 3, instead of a Major League Baseball playoff game.
Apparently adept at channel-surfing or the use of the VCR, 17 percent of voters say they
plan to watch both, while 14 percent say they are not watching the debate or baseball.

Voters are split 50 - 48 percent on whether the debate should be limited to Gore
and Bush or whether it should include Buchanan and Nader as well.

"This debate seems to be more important to voters than baseball and so the
pressure will be on Bush with a great chance to hit a home run -- or strike out -- with New
Jersey voters," Dr. McLean said.
Social Security

It's a good idea to allow individuals to invest a portion of their Social Security
taxes on their own, according to 54 percent of New Jersey likely voters; 39 percent say
this is a bad idea, while 7 percent are undecided.

And 42 percent of likely voters say there will be enough money in the Social
Security system to pay their benefits when they retire, while 38 percent say there will not
be enough money.

"Most likely voters, including most men, favor Bush's proposal to let people invest
Social Security money in the stock market. Bush could gain support if he reminds men
and independents where he stands on such issues," Dr. McLean said.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public service and for
research.

13. If the election for President were being held today and the candidates
were Al Gore the Democrat and George W. Bush the Republican for whom would
you vote? (Likely Voters)

............. Likely Voters .............
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Gore 54% 10% 92% 50% 46% 61%
Bush 38 84 4 37 47 31

SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 2 1 1
DK/NA 7 5 4 11 6 7

14. If the election for President were being held today and the candidates
were Al Gore the Democrat, George W. Bush the Republican, Pat Buchanan the
Reform Party candidate and Ralph Nader the Green Party candidate for whom
would you vote? (Likely Voters)

14. If the election for President were being held today and the candidates
were Al Gore the Democrat, George W. Bush the Republican, Pat Buchanan the
Reform Party candidate and Ralph Nader the Green Party candidate for whom
would you vote? (Registered Voters)

16. Do you plan on watching the first televised debate between Bush and Gore
on Tuesday, October 3, or do you plan on watching the major league baseball
playoff game, or do you plan on watching both, or watching neither?

............. Likely Voters .............
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Watching debate 61% 65% 65% 55% 51% 69%

Watching baseball 5 2 6 6 8 2

Both 17 19 14 18 25 11

Neither 14 11 12 17 13 15

DK/NA 3 3 4 3 3 3

16a. Do you think the televised Presidential debates this fall should
be between Al Gore and George W. Bush or should the Presidential
debates be between Al Gore, George W. Bush, Ralph Nader, and
Pat Buchanan? (Likely Voters)

............. Likely Voters .............
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Gore & Bush 50% 58% 50% 43% 47% 52%

Gore, Bush, Nader,
Buchanan 48 39 47 55 50 46

DK/NA 2 3 2 2 3 2

17. What do you think of the nation's Social Security system? Do you think
that by the time you retire there will be enough money in the system to pay
you the benefits you are entitled to, or do you think there will not be
enough money left to pay you the benefits?

............. Likely Voters .............
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Yes/Will be benefits 42% 39% 39% 50% 46% 39%

No/Not enough left 38 44 39 30 33 42

RETIRED/RECEIVING
SOC SEC(VOL) 13 10 15 13 13 12

DK/NA 7 8 7 7 7 7

18. Some people have suggested allowing individuals to invest portions of
their Social Security taxes on their own, which might allow them to make
more money for their retirement, but would involve greater risk. Do you
think allowing individuals to invest a portion of their Social Security
taxes on their own is a good idea or a bad idea?

............. Likely Voters .............
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Good idea 54% 70% 39% 56% 58% 50%

Bad idea 39 24 52 37 36 41

DK/NA 7 5 9 7 6 9

17. What do you think of the nation's Social Security system? Do you think
that by the time you retire there will be enough money in the system to pay
you the benefits you are entitled to, or do you think there will not be
enough money left to pay you the benefits?

18. Some people have suggested allowing individuals to invest portions of
their Social Security taxes on their own, which might allow them to make
more money for their retirement, but would involve greater risk. Do you
think allowing individuals to invest a portion of their Social Security
taxes on their own is a good idea or a bad idea?